8 Rhubarb Recipes to Make at Home

Rhubarb (rheum rhabarbarum) is an edible perennial plant with large leaves and long, deep red stalks. Though initially classified as a vegetable, a New York court legally declared rhubarb a fruit in 1947. The USDA has classified the fruit that way ever since, thanks, in part, to how its slightly bitter stalks serve as an ideal template for many fruit-based desserts.

Rich in vitamin C, fresh rhubarb is known for the signature sourness and stringy, fibrous texture of its petioles, or stalks. Home cooks can pureé stalks of rhubarb to make compote or bake the fruit with sweet ingredients like strawberries, raspberries, vanilla bean, or blueberries.

Nicknamed the “pie plant,” rhubarb’s bright, tart flavor makes it the perfect complement to fruity pies with crunchy crusts. When cooked, rhubarb’s bitter taste mellows, and its celery-like stalks soften into tender strands that fall apart easily. Some of the best rhubarb recipes include:

1. 1. Rhubarb cobbler: This rustic baked dessert is the perfect summer treat, pairing the subtle tartness of rhubarb stalks with buttery, semi-sweet biscuit dough. Rhubarb cobbler varies from pie in its more relaxed and flexible format, which requires a less precise baking process. Serve this classic dish with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the perfect spring dessert or sweet brunch entrée.
2. 2. Rhubarb chutney: Chutney is a gluten-free, spicy, or savory condiment originating in India, made from fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs with vinegar, sugar, and spices. This fruity condiment adds sweetness to an array of savory and spicy dishes, with mango as a commonly showcased ingredient. Raspberry rhubarb is an inventive condiment that will help you use up a springtime excess of rhubarb.
3. 3. Rhubarb compote: Compote is a type of fruit spread made from whole fruit or chunks of fruit combined with sugar syrup. Like jam, rhubarb compote goes with many dishes, including breads and pastries (like pancakes, waffles, and scones), desserts (like cheesecake and ice cream), and charcuterie. Serve this versatile condiment warm or chilled, chunky or smooth, and alongside sweet or savory dishes.
4. 4. Rhubarb crumble: A rhubarb crumble is a baked dessert consisting of tender pieces of sweetened, cooked rhubarb tucked under a crumb topping made from flour, sugar, butter, and other ingredients, such as rolled oats, spices, and nuts. Adapt any apple crumble recipe to include tart rhubarb.
5. 5. Rhubarb jam: Pair rhubarb with complementary fruits (like strawberry or raspberry) and sweeteners (like brown sugar) to make a sweet, tart spread. Cover everything from your morning toast to fresh biscuits in rhubarb jam.
6. 6. Strawberry rhubarb cobbler: This dessert features a juicy strawberry rhubarb filling and a semi-sweet biscuit topping. Strawberry rhubarb cobbler has all the flavor of strawberry rhubarb pie without the fuss of making pie crust. Experiment with an alternative twist on this cobbler recipe by topping your fruit filling with a streusel crumb topping to make a strawberry rhubarb crisp.
7. 7. Strawberry rhubarb galette: A strawberry rhubarb galette folds the classic tangy and sweet strawberry rhubarb filling into a round of free-form pastry dough. Make a strawberry rhubarb galette in the spring, when both fruits are in their peak seasons.
8. 8. Strawberry rhubarb pie: This tart, sweet treat featuring fresh, in-season strawberries is arguably the most famous rhubarb dessert. The sweetness of the strawberries balances the tart rhubarb with colors and textures that blend beautifully. Adding lemon juice to the pie filling further brightens up the flavors. A strawberry rhubarb pie recipe can feature a double-crust with a lattice top or a simple crimp on the bottom crust.

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